Garmon gets hero's homecoming in Sardis City

By Kendra CarterTimes Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 10:52 p.m.

Screaming sirens and roaring motorcycles signaled his arrival Friday afternoon as crowds gathered outside the Sardis City Community Center, in front of local schools and on the roadside to welcome home Army Spc. Corey Garmon.

Army Cavalry Scout Corey Garmon returned home to crowds of school children, family and friends, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in Sardis City, Ala. Garmon lost both his legs after an IED exploded while he was on patrol in Afghanistan in July. Here he arrives at Sardis High School.

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The 24-year-old Sardis High graduate injured this year while serving in Afghanistan received a hero’s welcome — a homecoming community members attending the ceremony said they were honored to provide.

“The same day I left I started getting support, and I made it back,” Garmon said in remarks to the crowd. “Yeah, I got hurt, but I made it back. That’s all that matters.”

Garmon was injured July 11 when an IED exploded while and his squad approached a compound outside Kandahar. His left leg immediately was amputated below the knee, and he later decided to have his right leg amputated as well. His left hand and arm sustained several breaks and soft tissue damage.

He has been treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and is undergoing rehabilitation.

Garmon flew from Maryland to Huntsville Friday morning and was escorted to Marshall County by law enforcement and Patriot Guard Riders.

He made stops at Carlisle Elementary, Whitesboro Elementary and Sardis High before arriving at the community center shortly before 3 p.m., where he was welcomed by a crowd of more than 75 people and was saluted by the JROTC color guard and drill team from Gadsden City High School.

Anita Felton of Boaz, who came to the ceremony with her 8-year-old son Nathan, said she didn’t know the Garmon family, but had seen Facebook posts and kept up with his story and prayed for him.

She said her husband was in the military and that you “honor those who put their lives on the line every day for our freedoms.”

“They deserve a hero’s welcome,” Felton said.

Rep. Becky Nordgren, R-Gadsden, and Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, spoke and presented Garmon with an Alabama flag and a resolution passed by the Legislature. Several other local leaders attended.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6837 in Boaz offered Garmon a lifetime membership in their organization.

“If he needs anything, we’ll take care of him and get him whatever he needs,” Post 6837 member Marvin Cocchi said.

Garmon said he hadn’t expected all the fanfare. He said he just expected close friends and family.

“I want to just thank everybody for their support and prayers,” he said. “I really need the support and prayers.”

Garmon’s mother, Lori Garmon, said the whole day had been wonderful.

“I know there is more healing going on today than from any medication or surgery at Walter Reed,” she said.

Debbie Stepleton, a Garmon family friend, said she couldn’t get the words to describe how much she felt when Garmon was hurt.

“Corey and Kyle (Garmon) grew up with my children and we’ve just been like family,” she said. “I watched him grow up, and I’m very proud of him.”

Garmon will be at home for nine days, going back on Nov. 25.

“It’s a good feeling to know we as Americans can still stand shoulder to shoulder and just be thankful for what we have,” said Sardis City resident Bobby Blackburn.

He said he came to the event to pay respect to Garmon.

“Just to let him know the community — all of us — are behind him,” Blackburn said.

<p>Screaming sirens and roaring motorcycles signaled his arrival Friday afternoon as crowds gathered outside the Sardis City Community Center, in front of local schools and on the roadside to welcome home Army Spc. Corey Garmon.</p><p>The 24-year-old Sardis High graduate injured this year while serving in Afghanistan received a hero's welcome — a homecoming community members attending the ceremony said they were honored to provide.</p><p>“The same day I left I started getting support, and I made it back,” Garmon said in remarks to the crowd. “Yeah, I got hurt, but I made it back. That's all that matters.”</p><p>Garmon was injured July 11 when an IED exploded while and his squad approached a compound outside Kandahar. His left leg immediately was amputated below the knee, and he later decided to have his right leg amputated as well. His left hand and arm sustained several breaks and soft tissue damage.</p><p>He has been treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and is undergoing rehabilitation. </p><p>Garmon flew from Maryland to Huntsville Friday morning and was escorted to Marshall County by law enforcement and Patriot Guard Riders. </p><p>He made stops at Carlisle Elementary, Whitesboro Elementary and Sardis High before arriving at the community center shortly before 3 p.m., where he was welcomed by a crowd of more than 75 people and was saluted by the JROTC color guard and drill team from Gadsden City High School.</p><p>Anita Felton of Boaz, who came to the ceremony with her 8-year-old son Nathan, said she didn't know the Garmon family, but had seen Facebook posts and kept up with his story and prayed for him. </p><p>She said her husband was in the military and that you “honor those who put their lives on the line every day for our freedoms.”</p><p>“They deserve a hero's welcome,” Felton said.</p><p>Rep. Becky Nordgren, R-Gadsden, and Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, spoke and presented Garmon with an Alabama flag and a resolution passed by the Legislature. Several other local leaders attended. </p><p>Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6837 in Boaz offered Garmon a lifetime membership in their organization. </p><p>“If he needs anything, we'll take care of him and get him whatever he needs,” Post 6837 member Marvin Cocchi said. </p><p>Garmon said he hadn't expected all the fanfare. He said he just expected close friends and family.</p><p>“I want to just thank everybody for their support and prayers,” he said. “I really need the support and prayers.”</p><p>Garmon's mother, Lori Garmon, said the whole day had been wonderful.</p><p>“I know there is more healing going on today than from any medication or surgery at Walter Reed,” she said. </p><p>Debbie Stepleton, a Garmon family friend, said she couldn't get the words to describe how much she felt when Garmon was hurt. </p><p>“Corey and Kyle (Garmon) grew up with my children and we've just been like family,” she said. “I watched him grow up, and I'm very proud of him.”</p><p>Garmon will be at home for nine days, going back on Nov. 25.</p><p>“It's a good feeling to know we as Americans can still stand shoulder to shoulder and just be thankful for what we have,” said Sardis City resident Bobby Blackburn. </p><p>He said he came to the event to pay respect to Garmon.</p><p>“Just to let him know the community — all of us — are behind him,” Blackburn said.</p>